Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: dam 'damage', from Latin damnum; DAMN4

damage

1 noun
     
dam‧age1 S2 W2
1

physical harm

[uncountable] physical harm that is done to something or to a part of someone's body, so that it is broken or injuredCOLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
do/cause damage serious/severe/extensive damage irreparable/irreversible/permanent damage (=damage that cannot be repaired) minor damage accidental damage brain/liver/lung etc damage flood/storm/fire etc damage (=damage caused by a flood, storm, fire etc)
damage to
damage to property
These chemicals have been found to cause serious environmental damage.
The earthquake caused extensive structural damage.
His eyesight suffered irreparable damage.
The ship sustained only minor damage.
The insurance covers accidental damage to the vehicle.
There may be permanent brain damage .
the need to reduce flood damage
2

emotional harm

[uncountable] harm caused to someone's emotions or mind:
The death of a parent can cause long-lasting psychological damage.
3

bad effect

[uncountable] a bad effect on something
damage to
The damage to his reputation was considerable.
The closure of the factory will cause severe damage to the local economy.
damage limitation/control
the attempts at political damage control during the scandal
4

damages

[plural]SCL law money that a court orders someone to pay to someone else as a punishment for harming them or their property [↪ compensation]:
The court awarded him £15,000 in damages.
5

the damage is done

used to say that something bad has happened which makes it impossible to go back to the way things were before it happened:
She immediately apologized, but the damage was done.
6

what's the damage?

spoken used humorously to ask how much you have to pay for something
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary